washington
CNN
—
President Joe Biden on Monday released the first draft of his history of how his presidency has affected domestic security and U.S. relations abroad as he prepares to leave a career in public service spanning more than half a century. and defended his foreign policy achievements during his time in office.
Mr. Biden has sought to position his presidency as a period of transformation for America’s power abroad, and in his capstone foreign policy speech he touted a country better positioned to compete in the new era than the one he inherited. He said he would hand it over to President-elect Donald Trump. Trump four years ago.
“New challenges will certainly emerge in the coming months and years, but it is clear that my administration is entrusting the incoming administration with a very strong role, and it will give them and America more of their friends, You will be left with a stronger alliance.These enemies will be weaker. , we’re under pressure. It’s America that is taking the lead again, uniting nations, setting the agenda, and uniting other nations behind our plan and our mission,” Biden said as President Trump takes office for his second term. He made the remarks in a speech at the State Department a week before taking the oath.
He implicitly criticized President Trump and predicted the administration’s actions, saying that under Trump’s leadership, “the United States is more competitive globally than it was four years ago.” America is stronger. Our alliances have become stronger, our adversaries and competitors weaker. We did not go to war to achieve these things. ”
The speech was a capstone for Biden, who laid out his foreign policy vision in a speech at the State Department at the beginning of his term.
Mr. Biden emphasized his commitment to strengthening alliances, pointing to a strengthened NATO, partnership in the Indo-Pacific, defense agreements between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and the Quad Alliance with Japan, Australia, and India.
But for all Biden’s proclamations about a stronger America, underlying his speech was President Trump’s imminent return to the Oval Office. Mr. Biden has promised to strengthen alliances and restore U.S. influence around the world, but he has accused Mr. Trump of undermining those ideals. From Ukraine to the Middle East, much of Mr. Biden’s foreign policy legacy may depend on Mr. Trump’s decisions in the coming months.
He elaborated on the conflict situation abroad.
Regarding Ukraine, Biden said his administration had “laid the foundation for the next administration to be able to protect a bright future for the people of Ukraine,” adding that there are big questions about the future of U.S. aid to the war-torn country. This comment was made in the midst of the situation.
He added that Iran is “the weakest it has been in decades” under his watch.
He added that the United States is “in a strategically advantageous position in long-term competition with China.”
Biden defended his administration’s decision to end America’s longest war and withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, criticizing the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the killing of 13 U.S. service members in a bombing, and the politics of his first year in office. This led to a catastrophe.
“I see no reason to keep thousands of service members in Afghanistan,” Biden said, adding, “In my opinion, it’s time to end the war and bring our troops home.”
Biden offered insight into his views on foreign policy priorities for the coming years under the next administration. Ensure that the fall of Bashar al-Assad does not lead to the resurgence of ISIS. Prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. and an end to the Israeli-Hamas conflict outlined in a proposal months ago.
He also called on the incoming administration to “stay in the lead” on artificial intelligence, continued leadership on clean energy, and spoke in tough words about what’s at stake.
“I know there are people in the incoming administration who are skeptical about the need for clean energy. They don’t believe climate change is real. They don’t believe they’re from another century. They are wrong. They are completely wrong. It is the single greatest existential threat to humanity,” he warned.
